Light source device and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A light source device according to an embodiment includes: a first resistor ( 101 ) that is connected to a given potential; a light emitting element ( 12 ) that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light; a second resistor ( 102 ) that is connected to the given potential; and a first current source ( 104 ) that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current are included, and a first voltage at a first connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a second connection part where the second resistor and the first current source are connected to each other are taken out.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a light source device and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Light emitting elements that emit light according to a current, such as laser diodes, are known. When a current far surpassing a designed value (overcurrent) flows into such a light emitting element due to, for example, a failure in a power supply system, there is a risk of causing emission of an unexpected large amount of light or, depending on the circumstance, a break of the light emitting element itself. Thus, techniques to monitor a current flown into a light emitting element have been proposed.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-016082

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2013-066085

SUMMARY Technical Problem

As one of methods of monitoring a current that flows into a light emitting element, there is a method in which a detection resistor is inserted into a path via which a current is supplied to the light emitting element and a voltage between both ends of the detection resistor is measured. In the method in which a detection resistor is inserted into a current path, however, when the detection resistor is implemented by a resistor in a chip, because the resistance of the resistor in the chip varies widely, a problem may occur in accuracy of the monitoring result.

There is a method in which a current (replica) that is supplied from the same power supply as that of a light emitting element is monitored and thus it is considered that a current that flows into the light emitting element is monitored. This method however has a possibility that a defect in the current flowing into the light emitting element cannot be detected.

An object of the disclosure is to provide a light source device and an electronic device capable of more accurately detecting a current that flows into a light emitting element.

Solution to Problem

For solving the problem described above, a light source device according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a first resistor that is connected to a given potential; a light emitting element that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light; a second resistor that is connected to the given potential; and a first current source that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current, wherein a first voltage at a first connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a second connection part where the second resistor and the first current source are connected to each other are taken out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a light source device that is applicable to each embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration for detecting a drive current to a laser diode according to an existing technique.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration for detecting a drive current to a laser diode according to an existing technique.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating another example of connection of a path of a main line, which is applicable to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of connection of a path of a main line, which is applicable to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to a first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to a second modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver that is applicable to the second modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a first example of a configuration in the case of driving multiple laser diodes according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a second example of the configuration in the case of driving multiple laser diodes according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a third example of the configuration in the case of driving multiple laser diodes according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining control according to a first modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining control according to a second modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of implementation of a driver and an LD array according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically illustrating the example of implementation of a driver and an LD array according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13C is a diagram schematically illustrating the example of implementation of a driver and an LD array according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a diagram for explaining an example of arrangement of each element contained in the driver on an LDD chip according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a diagram for explaining the example of arrangement of each element contained in the driver on the LDD chip.

FIG. 15A is a diagram for explaining an example in the case where a capacitor is further arranged on the LDD chip according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining the example in the case where a capacitor is further arranged on the LDD chip according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15C is a diagram for explaining an example in the case where a capacitor is further arranged on the LDD chip according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a ranging device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a histogram of an example based on times at each of which a light receiver receives light, which is applicable to the firth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a use example in which the raging device according to the fifth embodiment is used according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system that is an example of a mobile object control system to which the technique according to the disclosure is applicable.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of positions in which imaging units are set.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Each embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail below based on the drawings. In each embodiment below, the same components are denoted with the same reference number and thus redundant description is omitted.

Configuration Common Among Embodiments

The disclosure relates to control on a light emitting element that emits light according to a current, such as a laser diode. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a light source device that is applicable to each embodiment.

The light emitting device is described as a laser diode (LD) below. Using characteristics in excellence in linearity of light in traveling and light focusing, a fast response speed and a low power consumption, laser diodes are used in various fields, such as distance measurement, light transmission and electrophotographic printers. Light emitting elements applicable to the disclosure are not limited to laser diodes. For example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is applicable as a light emitting element.

In FIG. 1, a light source device 1 includes a driver 10 and a laser diode 12. A controller 11 may be included in the light source device 1. The driver 10 drives the laser diode 12 and causes the laser diode 12 to emit light according to control of the controller 11. The controller 11 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, supplies a control signal 40 that is generated according to a program that is previously stored in a memory by the CPU to the driver 10, and controls the driver 10. Based on a detection signal 42 that is output from the driver 10, the controller 11 determines whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12. When it is determined that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12, the controller 11 generates a control signal 43 indicating the fact and supplies the control signal 43 to the driver 10.

Assume that the overcurrent is a current that is larger than a current for causing the laser diode 12 to emit a given amount of light and the difference between the currents is at or above a threshold.

The driver 10 includes a drive unit 20 and a detector 21. The drive unit 20 generates a drive current for causing the laser diode 12 to emit light according to the control signal 40 that is supplied from the controller 11 and supplies the generated drive current to the laser diode 12. The drive unit 20 is able to control on/off of light emission by the laser diode 12 according to the control signal 43 that is supplied from the controller 11. The drive unit 20 supplies a signal 41 indicating a current value of the drive current that drives the laser diode 12 to the detector 21. The detector 21 supplies the detection signal 42 based on the signal 41 that is supplied from the drive unit 20 to the controller 11.

Determination on whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 may be made by the detector 21. For example, the detector 21 determines whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 based on the signal 41 that is supplied from the drive unit 20. As a result, when it is determined that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12, the detector 21 supplies a signal indicating the fact to the drive unit 20. According to the signal, the drive unit 20, for example, stops the laser diode 12 from emitting light. In this manner, by supplying the signal indicating that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 from the detector 21 directly to the drive unit 20, it is possible to increase the speed of response.

Example of Configuration According to Existing Technique

Prior to description of the disclosure, an example of a configuration for detecting a drive current to the laser diode 12 according to an existing technique will be described using FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to the existing technique. In FIGS. 2 and 3, each of drivers 200 a and 200 b corresponds to the driver 10 in FIG. 1 described above. Each of an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 209 in FIG. 2 and a comparator 210 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the detector 21 in the diver 10 in FIG. 1.

The driver 200 a includes a resistor R_(D), a transistor 203 that is a P-channel MOS (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) transistor, and a current source 204 that supplies a current I_(L). The current I_(L) is, for example, a current for causing the laser diode 12 to emit a given amount of light.

In FIG. 2, one end of the resistor R_(D) is connected to the power supply of a voltage V_(DD). The other end of the resistor R_(D) is connected to the anode of the laser diode 12 via the drain and source of the transistor 203 and a joint 202 a. The cathode of the laser diode 12 is connected to the current source 204 via a joint 202 b.

For example, by controlling operations of the current source 204 with a drive circuit that is included in the drive unit 20 and is not illustrated the drawing, it is possible to control light emission by the laser diode 12. For example, by controlling the current source 204 by a square wave of a given duty, it is possible to cause the laser diode 12 to emit an amount of light corresponding to the duty.

The joints 202 a and 202 b are arranged to, when the laser diode 12 and the driver 200 a are configured separately, connect the laser diode 12 and the driver 200 a to each other.

In the configuration, a voltage is taken out at a point of connection where the resistor R_(D) and the transistor 203 are connected to each other and is supplied to the ADC 209. The ADC 209 converts the voltage value of the supplied voltage into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal as the detection signal 42 to the controller 11. Based on the detection signal 42, the controller 11 determines whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 and, when it is determined that an overcurrent is supplied, for example, outputs the control signal 43 for controlling on/off of light emission by the laser diode 12. The control signal 43 is input to the gate of the transistor 203 of the driver 200 a and controls on (close)/off (open) of the transistor 203. For example, when the detection signal 42 indicates that a current I_(L)+Δ exceeding a threshold to determine normal drive is supplied to the laser diode 12, the controller 11 determines that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the resistor R_(D) is inserted in series into the path through which a current is supplied to the laser diode 12, when the resistor R_(D) is implemented by a resistor in a chip, the resistor in a chip has a risk of insufficient accuracy in variance of approximately ±20% in resistance value, or the like. Depending on the application using the laser diode 12, for example, a current of an amperes order may be supplied to the laser diode 12. In this case, a voltage drop that occurs in the resistor R_(D) cannot be ignored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a driver according to an existing technique. In FIG. 3, a driver 200 b uses a duplicated path (replica path) of a path (referred to as main line) through which a current I_(L) to flow into the laser diode 12 is supplied and regards the current on the replica path as a current to flow into the laser diode 12.

The driver 200 b includes transistors 220 and 221 each of which is a P-channel MOS transistor, the current source 204 that supplies a current I_(L), a current source 205 that supplies a current I_(c), a voltage source 206, and the comparator 210. Assume that on-resistances R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2) of the respective transistors 220 and 221 are substantially the same.

The sources of the transistors 220 and 221 are connected to a common power supply of a voltage V_(DD). The drain of the transistor 220 is connected to the anode of the laser diode 12 via the joint 202 a. The cathode of the laser diode 12 is connected to the current source 204 via the joint 202 b. On the other hand, the drain of the transistor 221 is connected to the current source 205. A voltage is taken out at a point of connection where the drain of the transistor 221 and the current source 205 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 210. A given voltage that is output from the voltage source 206 is supplied to the comparator 210. The comparator compares these supplied voltages and outputs the detection signal 42 based on the result of comparison.

For example, when the voltage that is taken out from the point of connection where the drain of the transistor 221 and the current source 205 are connected to each other is greater than the voltage of the voltage source 206 by a given amount or more, it can be considered that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12.

The configuration in FIG. 3 has a possibility that a failure in the main line, that is, the path through which a current is supplied to the laser diode 12 cannot be detected. On the other hand, while the above-described configuration exemplified in FIG. 2 makes it possible to directly measure the current on the main line, it is not suitable to fine processing when the resistor R_(D) is implemented by a resistor in a chip. In other words, a bipolar transistor or a 0.25-μm process was used in the past; however, in recent years, for example, there is an advance in fine processing for the purpose of realizing complicated control in sensing use and in decrease in voltage associated with the fine processing, which causes a need for designing a circuit under a withstand voltage restriction. While detection accuracy can be increased as the voltage drop occurring in the resistor R_(D) increases, a high voltage V_(DD) is required as the voltage drop increases and thus the configuration exemplified in FIG. 2 would not be along the tendency.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the disclosure will be described next. In the first embodiment, a voltage of the replica that is described using FIG. 3 is measured and a voltage is measured also on the main line on which the laser diode 12 is arranged. A comparator compares the measured voltages on the main line and the replica path and determines whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12. In the first embodiment, at that time, a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to a current for causing the laser diode 12 to emit a given amount of light that is supplied to the laser diode 12 is supplied to the replica path.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, a driver 10 a includes transistors 101 and 102 each of which is a P-channel MOS transistor, a current source 103 that supplies a current I_(L), a current source 104 that supplies a current I_(L)+I_(offset), and a comparator 110. A current I_(L) that the current source 103 supplies is a current for causing the laser diode 12 to emit the given amount of light. The current I_(L)+Δ that is supplied to the laser diode 12 is equal to the current I_(L) when there is no overcurrent.

On the other hand, the current source 104 supplies the current I_(L)+I_(offset) serving as a threshold of an overcurrent to the laser diode 12. In other words, the current I_(L)+I_(offset) is a current obtained by adding the current I_(offset) corresponding to an overcurrent to the current I_(L).

In FIG. 4, joints 100 a and 100 b are arranged to, when the laser diode 12 and the driver 10 a are configured separately, connect the laser diode 12 and the driver 10 a to each other. For example, the driver 10 a is configured on a single semiconductor chip and the laser diode 12 is configured as a unit 120 different from the semiconductor ship. The laser diode 12 and the driver 10 a are electrically connected by the joints 100 a and 100 b.

The transistors 101 and 102 are configured such that on-resistances (R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2)) are approximately equal to each other. For example, the transistors 101 and 102 are formed in sizes approximately the same. Furthermore, the transistors 101 and 102 are preferably arranged in positions that are close to each other thermally.

Each of the sources of the transistors 101 and 102 is connected to a common power supply of a voltage V_(DD). The drain of the transistor 101 is connected to the anode of the laser diode 12 via the joint 100 a. The cathode of the laser diode 12 is connected to the current source 103 via the joint 100 b. On the other hand, the drain of the transistor 102 is connected to the current source 104. A voltage V₁ is taken out at a point of connection where the drain of the transistor 101 and the anode of the laser diode 12 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110. A voltage V₂ is taken out at a point of connection where the drain of the transistor 102 and the current source 104 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

The comparator 110 compares the supplied voltages V₁ and V₂. The result of comparison by the comparator 110 is supplied to the controller 11. As a result of comparison between the voltage V₁ and the voltage V₂ by the comparator 110, when a voltage V_(sub) obtained by subtracting the voltage V₂ from the voltage V₁ is under “0”, that is, when “V₁<V₂”, the controller 11 determines that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12.

More specific description will be given. Assume that the resistance values of an on-resistance R_(ON-1) of the transistor 101 and an on-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistor 102 are approximately equal to each other. The on-resistance R_(ON-1) and the on-resistance R_(ON-2) will be described as on resistances R_(ON) when not particularly specified.

In such a configuration, the voltages V₁ and V₂ are calculated by Equations (1) and (2) below.

V ₁ =V _(DD) —R _(ON)×(I _(L)+Δ)  (1)

V ₂ =V _(DD) −R _(ON)×(I _(L) +I _(offset))  (2)

The voltage V_(sub) is defined by Equation (3) below.

V _(sub) =V ₁ −V ₂  (3)

The comparator 110 calculates the voltage V_(sub) obtained by subtracting the voltage V₂ from the voltage V₁. The voltage V_(sub) is expressed by Equation (4) below based on Equations (1) and (2) above.

V _(sub) ={V _(DD) −R _(ON)×(I _(L)+Δ)}−{V _(DD) −R _(ON)×(I _(L) +I _(offset))}=R _(ON)×(I _(offset)−Δ)   (4)

The controller 11 determines that V_(sub)=R_(ON)×(I_(offset)−Δ) is under 0 and an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12. According to Equation (4), when it can be considered that the on-resistances R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2) of the transistors 101 and 102 are approximately equal to each other, it is possible to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 regardless of the values of the on-resistances R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2) and regardless of the voltage V_(DD) of the power supply.

When it is determined that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12, for example, the controller 11 outputs the control signal 43 indicating the fact. The control signal 43 is, for example, input to the gates of the transistors 101 and 102 and controls the transistors 101 and 102 at an off state. Alternatively, the controller 11 is able to control at least the transistor 101 of the transistors 101 and 102 at an off state.

As a cause of supply of an overcurrent to the laser diode 12, there would be various causes, such as a failure in the current source 103, a failure in the power supply that supplies the voltage V_(DD), and a failure in connection in the joints 100 a and 100 b.

For example, assume that the light source device 1 according to the disclosure is applied to a ranging device that measures a distance by receiving reflection light that is light emitted by the laser diode 12 and reflected off an object. In this case, when laser light that is more intense than assumed is emitted from the laser diode 12 because of an overcurrent, there is a risk that, when the laser light is applied to the face, the laser light may affect the eyes. Furthermore, an overcurrent may break the element of the laser diode 12 itself.

Applying the light source device 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to detect an overcurrent to the laser diode 12 more accurately. Thus, applying the light source device 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to reduce supply of an overcurrent to the laser diode 12 and prevent an effect on the eyes in the case where the light source device 1 is applied to a ranging device and break of the laser diode 12 itself.

In FIG. 4, on the main line in which the laser diode 12 is contained, when viewed from the side of supply of power of the voltage V_(DD), the transistor 101, the laser diode 12, and the current source 103 are connected in this order; however, the connection is not limited to this example.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating another example of connection on the path of the main line that is applicable to the first embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, when viewed from the side of supply of power of the voltage V_(DD), the current source 103, the laser diode 12, and a transistor 101′ can be connected in this order. The transistor 101′ is an N-channel MOS transistor. In this case, the voltage V₁ can be taken out from a point of connection where the laser diode 12 and the transistor 101′ are connected to each other. On the replica side, when viewed from the side of supply of the power of the voltage V_(DD), the current source 104 and the transistor that is an N-channel MOS transistor would be connected in this order and the voltage V₂ would be taken out from a point of connection where the current source 104 and the transistor are connected to each other.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when viewed from the side of supply of power of the voltage V_(DD), the transistor 101, the current source 103, the laser diode 12 can be connected in this order. In this case, the voltage V₁ can be taken out from a point of connection where the transistor 101 and the current source 103 are connected to each other. On the replica side, it is assumable that, when viewed from the side of supply of power of the voltage V_(DD), the transistor 102, the current source 104 are connected in this order and the voltage V₂ is taken out from a point of connection where the current source 104 and the transistor 102 are connected to each other.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described next. In the second embodiment, level shift to low voltages is performed on voltages that are taken out of a replica path and a main line and the low voltages are supplied to the comparator 110.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to the second embodiment. A driver 10 b according to the second embodiment in FIG. 6 is obtained by adding level shifters 130 ₁ and 130 ₂ that change the voltages of voltages V₁ and V₂, respectively, to the configuration of the driver 10 a described using FIG. 4.

The level shifter 130 ₁ includes resistors 131 ₁ and 132 ₁ and steps down the voltage V₁ by resistive voltage division by the resistors 131 ₁ and 132 ₁, thereby generating a voltage V₃. Similarly, the level shifter 130 ₂ includes resistors 131 ₂ and 132 ₂ and steps down a voltage V₂ by resistive voltage division by the resistors 131 ₂ and 132 ₂, thereby generating a voltage V₄. The voltages V₃ and V₄ that are generated by stepping down the voltages V₁ and V₂ by the level shifters 130 ₁ and 130 ₂ are supplied as the voltages V₁ and V₂ to the comparator 110.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the voltages V₃ and V₄ obtained by performing level shift to low voltages by stepping down the voltages V₁ and V₂ are supplied to the comparator 110. Thus, for example, when an input withstand voltage of the transistor that is used for input of the comparator 110 is low because of fine processing, it is possible to protect an input circuit of the comparator 110.

In other words, a forward voltage Vf of the laser diode 12 is large and, because of limitation on the head room in the input circuit of the comparator 110, the voltage of the power supplied to the laser diode 12 (in other words, the voltage V₁) may exceed the withstand voltage of the input circuit of the comparator 110. In the driver 10 b according to the second embodiment, level shift to a low voltage is performed on the voltage V₁ using a level shifter and the low voltage is input to the comparator 110. This enables protection of the input circuit of the comparator 110.

First Modification of Second Embodiment

A first modification of the second embodiment will be described next. In the above-described second embodiment, the level shifters for the voltages V₁ and V₂ are configured by resistive voltage division. On the other hand, the first modification of the second embodiment is an example in which the level shifters for the voltages V₁ and V₂ are configured by source followers and resistors.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a driver according to the first modification of the second embodiment. A driver 10 c according to the first modification of the second embodiment in FIG. 7 is obtained by adding a transistor 150 ₁, a resistor 151 ₁ and a current source 152 ₁ and a transistor 150 ₂, a resistor 151 ₂ and a current source 152 ₂ of each of which the level shifters consist to the configuration of the driver 10 a described using FIG. 4.

In the example in FIG. 7, each of the transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂ is an N-channel MOS transistor. The resistors 151 ₁ and 151 ₂ have resistance values R equal to each other.

In FIG. 7, in the transistors 150 ₁, the gate is connected to a point of connection where the transistor 101 and the laser diode 12 are connected to each other and a voltage V₁ is input to the gate, the drain is connected to a power supply of a voltage V_(DD), and the source is connected to one end of the resistor 151 ₁. The other end of the resistor 151 ₁ is connected to the current source 152 ₁ that supplies a current I_(a). A voltage V₃ is taken out from a point of connection where the resistor 151 ₁ and the current source 152 ₁ are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

Similarly, in the transistor 150 ₂ the gate is connected to a point of connection where the transistor 102 and the current source 104 are connected to each other and a voltage V₂ is input to the gate, the drain is connected to the power supply of the voltage V_(DD), and the source is connected to one end of the resistor 151 ₂. The other end of the resistor 151 ₂ is connected to the current source 152 ₂ that supplies the current I_(a). A voltage V₄ is taken out from a point of connection where the resistor 151 ₂ and the current source 152 ₂ are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

In such a configuration, the voltages V₃ and V₄ are calculated by Equations (5) and (6) below. As in Equations (1) and (4) above, the on-resistances R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2) are described as on-resistances R_(ON). In Equations (5) and (6) below, or the like, “sqrt” denotes a square root of a value in parentheses right after “sqrt”.

V ₃ =V _(DD)−(I _(L)+Δ)×R _(ON-1) −{V _(th)+sqrt(2×I _(a)/β)}−R×I _(a)  (5)

V ₄ =V _(DD)−(I _(L) +I _(offset))×R _(ON-2) −{V _(th)+sqrt(2×I _(a)/β)}−R×I _(a)  (6)

In the latter terms in Equations (5) and (6), “V_(th)+sqrt(2×I_(a)/β)” denotes a gate-source voltage (voltage V_(GS)) of the transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂. The value V_(th) and the value β denote a threshold voltage and a gain coefficient of each of the transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂ and are unique to each of the transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂. The transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂ are formed such that the values V_(th) and the values β are approximately equal.

The comparator 110 calculates a voltage V_(sub) obtained by subtracting the voltage V₄ from the voltage V₃. The voltage V_(sub) is expressed by Equation (7) below based on Equations (5) and (6) above.

V _(sub)=[V _(DD)−(I _(L)+Δ)×R _(ON-1) −{V _(th)+sqrt(2×I _(a)/β)}−R×I _(a)]−[V _(DD)−(I _(L) +I _(offset))×R _(ON-2) −{V _(th)+sqrt(2×I _(a)/β)}−R×I _(a)]=R _(ON)×(I _(offset)−Δ)  (7)

As in the above-described first embodiment, the controller 11 determines that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 when V_(sub)=R_(ON)×(I_(offset)−Δ) is under 0. According to Equation (7), when it can be considered that the on-resistance R_(ON-1) and the on-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistors 101 and 102 are approximately equal to each other, it is possible to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 regardless of the values of the on-resistances R_(ON-1) and R_(ON-2) or regardless of the voltage V_(DD) of the power supply.

According to the first modification of the second embodiment, compared to the example of the above-described second embodiment, it is possible to increase the accuracy in the case where level shift is performed. In other words, in the above-described second embodiment, the voltages V₃ and V₄ that are input to the comparator 110 are obtained by stepping down the voltages V₁ and V₂ by resistive voltage division. Thus, when the division ratio is 1/2, the difference between the voltages V₃ and V₄ is ½ of that in the case where voltage division is not performed.

On the other hand, in the first modification of the second embodiment, level shift represented by “{V_(th)+sqrt(2×I_(a)/β)}−R₁×I_(a)” of the latter terms in Equations (5) and (6) is performed on each of the main line and the replica path. The term is canceled when the difference between Equations (5) and (6) is calculated and thus the difference between the voltages V₃ and V₄ that are input to the comparator 110 is equal to the voltages V₁ and V₂ in the case where level shift is not performed, which makes it possible to detect an overcurrent to the laser diode 12 more accurately.

Second Modification of Second Embodiment

A second modification of the second embodiment will be described next. In the second modification of the second embodiment, in contrast to the configuration of the driver 10 c according to the first modification of the second embodiment that is described using FIG. 7, the on-resistances R_(ON-2) of the transistor 102 is increased and the current that the current source 104 supplies is reduced.

FIG. 8 illustrates a configuration of an example of a driver 10 d according to the second modification of the second embodiment. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 has the same connection relationship among elements as that of the driver 10 c illustrated in FIG. 7 and thus description thereof is omitted here. In the driver 10 d in FIG. 8, the resistance value of an on-resistance of a transistor 102′ on a replica path is larger than that of the on-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistor 102 illustrated in FIG. 7. In the example in FIG. 8, the on-resistance of the transistor 102′ is a resistance R_(ON-2)×N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2).

In the driver 10 d, a current that the current source 104 on the replica path supplies is a small current according to the on-resistance R_(ON-2)×N of the transistor 102′. In the example in FIG. 8, the current source 104 supplies a current (I_(L)+I_(offset))/N. The value N is offset in the term “(I_(L)+I_(offset))×R_(ON-2)” in Equation (6) above. The current that is supplied by the current source 104 is smaller than that in the configuration in FIG. 7 and thus it is possible to reduce power consumption of the driver 10 d compared to the driver 10 c in FIG. 7.

Third Modification of Second Embodiment

A third modification of the second embodiment will be described next. In the first modification of the second embodiment described above, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the resistors 151 ₁ and 151 ₂ are connected to the sources of the respective transistors 150 ₁ and 150 ₂ in the source followers on the main line and the replica path; however, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. In the third modification of the second embodiment, for example, the resistors 151 ₁ and 151 ₂ are configured by diode-connected transistors.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration that is applicable to the second modification of the second embodiment. In a driver 10 d′ illustrated in FIG. 9, on the main line, the drain of the transistor 150 ₁ is connected to the current source 152 ₁ via a resistor 151 ₁′ and a plurality of diode-connected transistors 153 ₁₋₁ to 153 _(1-n) that are connected in series. Similarly, on the replica path, the drain of the transistor 150 ₂ is connected to the current source 152 ₂ via a resistor 151 ₂′ and a plurality of diode-connected transistors 153 ₂₋₁ to 153 _(2-n) that are connected in series.

For example, in the above-described configuration in FIG. 7, in the case where the current source 152 ₁ and the current source 152 ₂ that supply a current I_(a) vary widely (for example, vary when manufactured), when high currents are flown into the resistors 151 ₁ and 151 ₂, that is, when voltages that are generated by the resistors 151 ₁ and 151 ₂ are high, voltages V₃ and V₄ that are taken out of the main line and the replica path vary widely. The variation between the current sources 152 ₁ and 152 ₂ that supply the current I_(a) can be reduced by using diode-connected transistors with.

Thus, by connecting the diode-connected transistors 153 ₁₋₁ to 153 _(1-n) and the diode-connected transistors 153 ₂₋₁ to 153 _(2-n) to the source followers on the main line and the respective replica paths, it is possible to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 more accurately.

In the configuration in FIG. 9, the resistors 151 ₁′ and 151 ₂′ can be mitted. As the diode-connected transistors 153 ₁₋₁ to 153 _(1-n) and 153 ₂₋₁ to 153 _(2-n) in FIG. 9, P-channel MOS transistors are used; however, the transistors are not limited thereto. For example, N-channel MOS transistors may be used as the diode-connected transistors 153 ₁₋₁ to 153 _(1-n) and 153 ₂₋₁ to 153 _(2-n).

In the example in FIG. 9, a capacitor 140 that is connected between the drain of the transistor 101 and a ground potential is further added. The capacitor 140 stores a charge corresponding to the voltage V_(DD) of the power supply that is supplied via the transistor 101. For example, when current supply to the laser diode 12 by the current source 103 is performed by PWM drive, a current is supplied to the laser diode 12 using the charge stored in the capacitor 140 and details thereof will be described below.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described next. The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modifications of the first embodiment and the second embodiment have been described as ones where each driver drives the single laser diode 12. On the contrary, a driver according to the third embodiment drives a plurality of the laser diodes 12.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are diagrams illustrating first, second and third examples of a configuration in the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven according to the third embodiment. In FIGS. 10A to 10C, the configurations of the transistor 102, the current source 104, and the comparator 110 are the same as those in FIG. 4 described above and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to FIGS. 10A and 10C, each of LD (laser diode) arrays 1200 a, 1200 b and 1200 c including a plurality of laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is connected to the drain of the transistor 101. The LD arrays 1200 a, 1200 b and 1200 c are, for example, VCSELs (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting LASER).

The laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) have one-one-one connections to current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) each of which is controllable independently. In other words, by controlling, for example, on/off of each of the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) using a drive circuit not illustrated in the drawing, it is possible to independently control light emission by each of the laser diodes corresponding one-on-one to the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n).

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a driver 10 e(a) according to the first example in the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10A illustrates an example of the LD array 1200 a in which each of anodes and cathodes of each of the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is independent. In the LD array 1200 a, the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is connected to the drain of the transistor 101 respectively via joints 100 a ₁, 100 a ₂, . . . , 100 a _(n). In the driver 10 e(a), a voltage V₁ is taken out from a point of connection where each of the joints 100 a ₁, 100 a ₂, . . . , 100 a _(n) and the drain of the transistor 101 are connected to each other and the voltage V₁ is supplied to the comparator 110.

The cathodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) have one-on-one connections to the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) via joints 100 b ₁, 100 b ₂, . . . , 100 b _(n).

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a driver 10 e(b) according to the second example of the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10B illustrates an example of the LD array 1200 b in which each of the anodes of the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is connected commonly and each of the cathodes is independent. In the LD array 1200 b, each of the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is connected commonly to the joint 100 a and is connected to the drain of the transistor 101 via the joint 100 a. In the driver 10 e(b), a voltage V₁ is taken out from a point of connection where the joint 100 a and the drain of the transistor 101 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

The cathodes of the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) have one-on-one connection to the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) via the joints 100 b ₁, 100 b ₂, . . . , 100 b _(n).

FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the third example of a driver 10 e(c) in the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10C illustrates the example in which each of the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is independent and each of the cathodes is connected commonly. The example in FIG. 10C corresponds to the example in FIG. 5A and each of the cathodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) is connected commonly to the joint 100 b and is connected to the drain of the transistor 101′ that is an N-channel MOS transistor via the joint 100 b. In the driver 10 e(c), a voltage V₁ is taken out from a point of connection where the joint 100 b and the drain of the transistor 101′ are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110. In the example in FIG. 10C, the source of the transistor 101′ is connected to a ground potential.

In FIG. 10C, the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) have one-on-one connection to the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) via joints 100 a ₁, 100 a ₂, . . . , 100 a _(n). In the example in FIG. 10C, ends of the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) that are not connected to the joints 100 a ₁, 100 a ₂, . . . , 100 a _(n) are connected to a power supply of a voltage V_(DD).

In FIG. 10C, a transistor 102′ on the replica path is an N-channel MOS transistor like the transistor 101′ and the drain of the transistor 102′ is connected to the current source 104 and the source of the transistor 102′ is connected to a ground potential. A voltage V₂ is taken out from a point of connection where the drain of the transistor 102′ and the current source 104 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

In any of the examples in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, the voltage V₁ that is taken out of the main line is a voltage corresponding to the sum of the currents that flow through the respective laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n). In other words, the current that is calculated by applying Equations (1) to (4) is the current of the sum. Thus, the current source 104 on the replica path need to supply a current I_(L)+I_(offset) corresponding to the current of the sum.

The current is not limited to this and, for example, it is possible to control each of the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 _(n) individually and detect an overcurrent with respect to each of the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n).

As described above, even when the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) are connected, overcurrents to the laser diodes 12 ₁, 12 ₂, . . . , 12 _(n) are detectable.

First Modification of Third Embodiment

A first modification of the third embodiment will be described next. A first modification of the third embodiment is an example in which different currents are supplied to the main line to which a plurality of the laser diodes 12 are connected and a replica path. The value N may be a value different below from the value that is used in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining control according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 10B described above and, like the driver 10 e(b) illustrated in FIG. 10B, on the main line, the transistor 101, the LD array 1200 b including N laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N), the respective laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N), and respective current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(N) are connected via joints 100 b ₁, . . . , 100 b _(M), 100 b _(M+1), . . . , 100 b _(N). The replica path contains the transistor 102 and the current source 104.

For example, the case where, as illustrated in FIG. 11, control is performed such that M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) among the N laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) included in the LD array 1200 b emit light and other (N−M) laser dioses 12 _(M+1) to 12 _(N) do not emit light is considered. In the first modification of the third embodiment, in this case, a current I_(L)+I_(offset) that the current source 104 on the replica path supplies is changed according to the number M of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light. In the example in FIG. 11, the current source 104 supplies a current (I_(L)+I_(offset))/M.

For example, a drive circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing turns on the M current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(M) corresponding one-on-one to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light. The (N-M) current sources 103 _(M+1) to 103 _(N) corresponding one-on-one to the laser diodes 12 _(M+1) to 12 _(N) that are not caused to emit light are turned off. The drive circuit changes the current that is supplied by the current source 104 to the current (I_(L)+I_(offset))/M according to the number of the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(M) that are turned on.

In other words, in order to cause each of the M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) to simultaneously emit a given amount of light by a current I_(L), it is necessary to supply a current I_(L)×M to the LD array 1200 b.

A current I_(L)+Δ is calculated by Equation (8) below from Equations (1) and (2) above.

I _(L)+Δ={(V _(DD) −V ₁)/(V _(DD) −V ₂)}×(I _(L) +I _(offset))  (8)

When the sum (the current (I_(L)+Δ)×M) of the currents I_(L) that are supplied to the M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) with an overcurrent contained is applied to Equation (8) above, Equation (8) is expressed as Equation (9).

(I _(L)+Δ)×M={(V _(DD) −V ₁)/(V _(DD) −V ₂)}×(I _(L) +I _(offset))  (9)

The change of the current that the current source 104 supplies to the current (I_(L)+I_(offset)/M is equivalent to multiplying both the right-hand side and left-hand side of Equation (9) by 1/M. In other words, the left-hand side of Equation (9) is (I_(L)+Δ)/M=I_(L)+Δ. The current I_(L)+Δ is an average of currents supplied to the M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light in the LD array 1200 b. By comparing the current I_(L)+Δ of the average and the known current I_(L)+I_(offset), it is possible to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) contained in the LD array 1200 b overall.

As described, by changing the current (I_(L)+I_(offset)) that the current source 104 supplies on the replica path according to the number of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light in the LD array 1200 b, it is possible to reduce power consumption on the replica path.

Second Modification of Third Embodiment

A second modification of the third embodiment will be described. Each of the second modification of the third embodiment is an example of the case where the transistor 101 on a main line and the transistor 102 on a replica path is configured by connecting a plurality of transistors in parallel.

In the second modification of the third embodiment, in this case, as in the case of the first modification of the above-described third embodiment, M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) among N laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) included in the LD array 1200 b are caused to emit light. Among the transistors included in the transistor 101 on the main line, transistors corresponding in number to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light are turned on. Similarly, among the transistors included in the transistor 102 on the replica line, transistors corresponding in number to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that are caused to emit light are turned on.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining control according to the second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 10B described above and a driver 10 e(b)′ includes, on the main line, N transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N), the LD array 1200 b including N laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N), and N current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(N) corresponding one-one-one to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N). The laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) and the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(N) are connected to each other, respectively, via joints 100 b ₁, . . . , 100 b _(M), 100 b _(M+1), . . . , 100 b _(N).

In FIG. 12, control signals each of which controls on/off are supplied, for example, from a drive circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing to the N transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) that are connected in parallel. At least one transistor that is controlled at an on state among the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N), for example, overall implements a function corresponding to the single transistor 101 illustrated in FIG. 11.

The drains of the respective transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) are connected commonly to the joint 100 a and are connected to the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) included in the LD array 1200 b via the joint 100 a. A voltage V₁ is taken out from points of connection where the drains of the respective transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) and the LD array 1200 b are connected and is supplied to the comparator 110.

N transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N) that are connected in parallel and the single current source 104 are contained in the replica path. Controls signals to control on/off are supplied respectively to the gates of the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N), for example, from a drive circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing. At least one transistor that is controlled at an on state among the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N), for example, overall implements a function corresponding to the single transistor 102 illustrated in FIG. 11.

Each of the drains of the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N) is connected commonly to the current source 104. A voltage V₂ is taken out from points of connection where the drains of the respective transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N) and the current source 104 are connected to each other and is supplied to the comparator 110.

The case where control is performed such that the M laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) among the N laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) included in the LD array 1200 b emit light and other (N−M) laser dioses 12 _(M+1) to 12 _(N) do not emit light is considered.

In this case, in the second modification of the third embodiment, a drive circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing controls, at an on state, the M transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(M) among the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) and controls other transistors 101 _(N+1) to 101 _(N) at an off state. Similarly, a drive circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing controls, at an on state, the M transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(M) among the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N) and controls other transistors 102 _(N+1) to 102 _(N) at an off state.

By controlling each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) according to the number M of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that emit light as described above, it is possible to increase the resistance value of the overall on-resistance R_(ON-1) of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N). Similarly, by controlling each of the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N) according to the number M of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that emit light, it is possible to increase the resistance value of the overall on-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistors 102 ₁ to 102 _(N). This makes it possible to improve accuracy in detecting the voltages V₁ and V₂.

As in the first modification of the third embodiment described above, it is possible to change the current I_(L)+I_(offset) that the current source 104 on the replica path supplies according to the number M of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(M) that emit light. In the example in FIG. 12, the current source 104 supplies a current (I_(L)+I_(offset))/M. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce power consumption on the replica path.

The first modification and the second modification of the third embodiment have been described using the configuration according to the second example in the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven, which is described using FIG. 10B; however, this is not limited to the example. In other words, the first modification and the second modification of the third embodiment are applicable to the first example and the third example in the case where the laser diodes 12 are driven, which has been described using FIGS. 10A and 10C. The configurations according to the third embodiment and the modifications of the third embodiment are applicable to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modifications of the first and second embodiments described above.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described next. The fourth embodiment relates to implementation of the driver 10 e(a), 10 f(b), 10 f(b)′ and 10 f (c) and the LD arrays 1200 a to 1200 c according to the above-described third embodiment and each modification of the third embodiment.

The driver 10 e(b) and the LD array 1200 b in which the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N) are commonized, which are described using FIG. 10, are exemplified and described below. In this case, assume that, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the transistor 101 includes the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) that are connected in parallel and the transistor 102 includes the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) that are connected in parallel similarly.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams schematically illustrating examples of implementation of the driver 10 e(b) and the LD array 1200 b according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the LD array 1200 b and other configurations included in the driver 10 e(b) are formed on different boards.

FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically illustrating that the LD array 1200 b is arranged on an LDD (laser diode driver) chip 1000 on which each element included in the driver 10 e(b) is arranged, which is applicable to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13A illustrates the LDD chip 1000 and the LD array 1200 b viewed from its face (upper surface) on which light emitters of the respective laser dioses 12 included in the LD array 1200 b are arranged. FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B to be described below illustrate the side (back surface) of the LD array 1200 b that is connected to the LDD chip 1000 viewed perspectively from the upper surface side on which the light emitters of the laser diodes 12 are arranged.

The LDD chip 1000 is a single semiconductor chip and is connected to an external circuit by wire bonding on a plurality of pads 1001 that are arranged on the margins. For example, a power of a voltage V_(DD) is supplied from the outside to the LDD chip 1000 via the pads 1001. The voltages V₁ and V₂ in FIG. 10B are supplied to the comparator 110 that is arranged outside the LDD chip 1000 via the pads 1001.

FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the LD array 1200 b that is applicable to the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13B, cathode terminals 1201 of the respective laser diodes 12 included in the LD array 1200 b and anode terminals 1202 that are common to the laser diodes 12 are arranged alignedly on the back surface of the LD array 1200 b.

In the example in FIG. 13B, when the horizontal direction on the drawing represents rows and vertical direction represents columns, the cathode terminals 1201 are arranged at the center of the LD array 1200 b in a matrix array of C rows×L columns. In other words, in the example, (C×L) laser diodes 12 are arranged on the LD array 1200 b. The anode terminals 1202 are arranged in a matrix array of C rows×A₁ columns on the left end side and a matrix array of C rows×A₂ columns on the right end side.

The cathode terminals 1201, for example, correspond respectively to the joints 100 b ₁, 100 b ₂, . . . , 100 b _(n) in FIG. 10B. The anode terminals 1202, for example, collectively correspond to the joint 100 a in FIG. 10B. Forming the joint 100 a to which the anodes of the respective laser diodes 12 are connected commonly in multiple parts by using the anode terminals 1202 makes it possible to reduce connection resistance on connection of each anode to the LDD chip 1000.

FIG. 13C is a side view of a structure consisting of the LDD chip 1000 and the LD array 1200 b viewed from the lower end side on FIG. 13A, which is applicable to the fourth embodiment. The LDD chip 1000 and the LD array 1200 b form a structure in which the LD array 1200 b is superimposed onto the LDD chip 1000. Each of the cathode terminals 1201 and the anode terminals 1202 is connected to the LDD chip 1000, for example, by a microbump.

Using FIGS. 14A and 14B, the example of arrangement of each element included in the driver 10 e(b) on the LDD chip 1000 will be described.

FIG. 14A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10B described above. In the example in FIG. 14A, in the driver 10 e(b), the size of the transistor 102 in FIG. 10B is smaller than the size of the transistor 101. For example, in contrast with single transistor 102, the transistor 101 consists of transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) that are connected in parallel and on each of which on/off control can be performed independently. In the example in FIG. 14A, N/10 transistors 102 are used in contrast with the N transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N). For example, when N=10, the number of transistors 102 is one.

This makes it possible to maintain the overall n-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistor 102 higher than the on resistance R_(ON-1) of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N). Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the current I_(L)+I_(offset) of the current source 104 on the replica path based on a ratio between the size (number) of the transistor 102 and the overall size (number) of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N).

In the example in FIG. 14A, the current that is supplied by the current source 104 is (I_(L)+I_(offset))/10 that is 1/10 of the current I_(c) of the current source 104 in the example in FIG. 10B. According to Equation (1), it is known that the value of the calculated voltage V₂ does not change even when the on-resistance R_(ON-2) of the transistor 102 is increased tenfold and the current I_(L)+I_(offset) is 1/10. The current on the replica path can be reduced as described above and thus power consumption in the LDD chip 1000 can be reduced. In the example in FIG. 14A, the size of the transistor 102 is increased tenfold and the amount of current on the replica path is 1/10; however, power consumption can be further reduced by the same method.

In FIG. 14A, the transistor 102 is illustrated as a single element; however, the transistor 102 may be configured by a plurality of transistors that are connected in parallel and on each of which on/off control can be performed independently.

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of each element of the driver 10 e(b) on the LDD chip 1000, which is applicable to the fourth embodiment. In areas 1300, 1301, 1302 and 1303 in FIG. 14B, the respective elements surrounded and represented in association with the areas 1300, 1301, 1302 and 1303 by the dotted frames in FIG. 14A are arranged.

Specifically, in the example in FIG. 14B, the area 1300 contains the current sources 103 ₁, 103 ₂, . . . , 103 n. In the example in FIG. 14B, the LD array 1200 b is arranged in an area 1310 corresponding to the area 1300. In FIG. 14B, the areas 1301 and the area 1302 are arranged on the longer side of the area 1300. The areas 1301 contains the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N). The area 1302 contains the transistor 102. In the example in FIG. 14B, as for the areas 1301, the two areas 1301 in which each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) that are divided into two groups is contained are arranged on both sides of the area 1302. Arranging the transistor 102 such that the transistor 102 is closely to and sandwiched by the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) enables approximation between features of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(N) and the transistor 102.

In the example in FIG. 14B, furthermore, the area 1303 containing the current source 104 is arranged on the short side of the area 1300.

In FIG. 14B, the area 1300 in which the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(n) are contained is arranged in contrast to the area 131 ₀ in which the LD array 1200 b is arranged; however, the arrangement is not limited to this example. For example, in addition to the area 1300 in which the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 _(n) are contained, other elements may be arranged in the area 1310. The area 1300 in which the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 n are contained may be arranged in another position on the LDD chip 1000. Furthermore, a drive circuit that drives each of the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 n, or the like, and that is not illustrated in the drawing may be arranged on the LDD chip 1000.

Example of Case where Capacitor is arranged

An example of the case where a capacitor is further arranged on the LDD chip 1000 will be described using FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the capacitor 140 that is commonly connected to the drains of the respective transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n is added to the configuration in FIG. 14A.

As described using FIG. 9, the capacitor 140 stores a charge corresponding to the voltage V_(DD) of the power that is supplied via each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n. When current supply to the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n) included in the LD array 1200 b performed by the respective current sources 103 ₁ to 103 n is performed by PWM drive, current supply to each of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n) is performed by using the charge stored in the capacitor 140.

In other words, the voltage V_(DD) of the power is supplied from a board outside the LDD chip 1000 to the pads 1001 on the LDD chip 1000 by wire bonding. When a steep voltage change occurs due to PWM drive, a large voltage drop occurs due to inductance of wires that are used for wire bonding. Thus, supplying a current I_(L) based on the charge stored in the capacitor 140 to each of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n) makes it possible to avoid an effect of this voltage drop.

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating an example in which an area 1304 containing the capacitor 140 is arranged on the LDD chip 1000. The capacitor 140 has a size relatively large compared to each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n and the transistor 102. Thus, in the example in FIG. 15B, the area 1304 containing the capacitor 140 is arranged in a position corresponding to the area 1310 in which the LD array 1200 b is arranged. The area 1304 containing the capacitor 140 has a relatively large size as described above and thus such arrangement makes it easy to design a layout on the LDD chip 1000.

In the example in FIG. 15B, the area 1300 containing each of the current sources 103 ₁ to 103 n is divided into two area and the two areas are arranged on both outer sides of the long sides of the area 1304.

The example in FIG. 15B illustrates that the whole area 1304 containing the capacitor 140 is contained in the area 1310 in which the LD array 1200 b is arranged; however, the arrangement is not limited to this example. For example, the area 1304 may be arranged such that part of the area 1304 is contained in the area 1310. When the size of the area 1304 is small with respect to the area 1310, another element may be arranged together with the area 1304 in a position corresponding to the area 1310.

FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating an example obtained by, in the example illustrated in FIG. 15B in which the area 1304 containing the capacitor 140 is arranged on the LDD chip 1000, dividing the area 1310 containing each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 _(n) into multiple areas 1301 and dividing the area containing the transistor 102 into multiple areas 1302. In this case, assume that the transistor 102 consists of multiple transistors that are connected in parallel like each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n and on each of which on/off control can be performed independently.

When the overall size of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n and the size of the transistor 102 consisting of the transistors are relatively larger, variation resulting from the process on manufacturing may occur in each of the transistors. In the example in FIG. 15C, the area 1301 in which each of the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n is contained and the area 1302 in which the transistors of which the transistor 102 consists are divided in more small units and furthermore the divided areas 1301 and the areas 1302 are aligned and arranged alternately. This makes it possible to reduce variations in the transistors 101 ₁ to 101 n and the transistors of which the transistor 102 consists.

The configuration corresponding to FIG. 4 described above is applied to FIGS. 14A and 15A described above and voltages V₁ and V₂ are taken out of the main path and the replica path directly; however, the configuration is not limited to this example. In other words, the configurations described using FIGS. 6 to 9 are applicable to the configurations in FIGS. 14A and 15A.

Instead of the LD array 1200 b, the LD array 1200 a to which each of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n) is connected independently may be used. Similarly, instead of the LD array 1200 b, an LD array 1200 c to which the anodes of the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n), which have been described using FIG. 10, are connected commonly may be used.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is an example of the case where the light source device 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments and the modifications of the embodiments is applied to a ranging device that measures a distance by laser light.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a ranging device according to the fifth embodiment. Represented by the driver 10, the drivers 10 a to 10 d, the driver 10 d′ and the drivers 10 e(a) to 10 e(c) according to the respective embodiments and modifications of the embodiments described above will be described below. Similarly, represented by the laser diode 12, the laser diode 12, the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(n), and the laser diodes 12 ₁ to 12 _(N), will be described. More preferably, the configurations described using FIGS. 15B and 15C would be applied.

A ranging device 70 serving as an electronic device according to the fifth embodiment includes the driver 10, the laser diode 12, the controller 11, a ranging unit 51, and a light receiver 302. The driver 10 generates a drive signal that drives the laser diode 12 to emit light according to a pulse in response to a control signal that is supplied from the controller 11 and, based on the generated drive signal, causes the laser diode 12 to emit light. The driver 10 passes a signal representing the timing at which the laser diode 12 is caused to emit light to the ranging unit 51.

Based on the detection signal 42 that is supplied from the driver 10, the controller 11 determines whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12. When it is determined that an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12, the controller 11 outputs the control signal 43 to stop the laser diode 12 from emitting light to the driver 10 and outputs an error signal indicating supply of an overcurrent. The controller 11 is able to output the error signal, for example, to the outside of the ranging device 70.

The light receiver 302 includes a light receiving element that outputs a received light signal by photoelectric conversion based on received laser light. For example, a single photon avalanche diode may be used as the light receiving element. A single photon avalanche diode is also referred to as a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) and has a characteristic in that electrons that are generated according to incidence of one photon causes avalanche multiplication and a high current flows. By utilizing the characteristic of the SPAD, it is possible to sense incidence of one photon with high sensitivity. The light receiving element applicable to the light receiver 302 is not limited to a SPAD and an avalanche photodiode (APD) and a normal photodiode are also applicable.

The ranging unit 51 calculates a distance D between the ranging unit 51 and a subject 61 based on a time to at which laser light is emitted from the laser diode 12 and a time t₁ at which the light is received by the light receiver 302.

In the above-described configuration, laser light 60 that is emitted, for example, at the timing of the time t₀ is reflected off the subject 61 and is received as reflected light 62 by the light receiver 302 at timing of the time t₁. Based on a difference between the time t₁ at which the light receiver 302 receives the reflected light 62 and the time t₀ at which the laser diode 12 emits light, the ranging unit 51 calculates the distance D to the subject 61. The distance D is calculated by Equation (10) below, using a constant c as a velocity of light (2.9979×10⁸ [m/sec]).

D=(c/2)×(t ₁ −t ₀)  (10)

The ranging unit repeatedly executes the above-described process for multiple times. The light receiver 302 includes a plurality of light receiving elements and the light receiver 302 may calculate each distance D based on each light receiving timing of reception of the reflected light 62 by each of the light receiving elements. The ranging unit 51 classifies times t_(m) (referred to as light reception time t_(m)) each from the time t₀ of light emission timing to light reception timing of light reception by the light receiver 302 based on grades (bins) and generates a histogram.

The light that is received at the light reception time t_(m) is not limited to the reflected light 62 that is light emitted by the laser diode 12 and reflected off the object on which measurement is performed. For example, environment light around the light receiver 302 is also received by the light receiver 302.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary histogram based on times at which the light receiver 302 receives light, which is applicable to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 17, the horizontal axis represents bins, the vertical axis represents frequency per bin. The bins are obtained by classifying the light receiving times t_(m) by each given unit time d. Specifically, a bin #0 is 0≤t_(m)<d, a bin #1 is d≤t_(m)<2×d, a bin #2 is 2×d≤t_(m)<3×d, . . . , a bin #(N−2) is (N−2)×d≤t_(m)<(N−1)×d. When the time of exposure of the light receiver 302 is t_(ep), t_(ep)=N×d.

The ranging unit 51 counts the number of times a light reception time t_(m) is acquired based on bins and calculates a frequency 310 per bin and generates a histogram. The light receiver 302 receives light other than the reflected light that is light emitted from the laser diode 12 and reflected. As an example of light other than the subject reflected light, there is environment light that is aforementioned. The part indicated by an area 311 in the histogram contains environment light components resulting from environment light. The environment light is light that is randomly incident on the light receiver 302 and results in noise against the subject reflected light.

On the other hand, the subject reflected light is light that is received according to a specific distance and appears as an active light component 312 in the histogram. A bin corresponding to the frequency at the peak in the active light component 312 serves as a bin corresponding to the distance D of a measurement subject object 303. By acquiring the representative time of the bin (for example, the center time of the bin) as the above-described time t₁, the ranging unit 51 is able to calculate a distance D to the measurement subject object 303 according to Equation (10) described above. As described above, using multiple results of light reception enables execution of appropriate distance measurement against random noise.

As described above, by applying the driver 10 according to the disclosure to the ranging device 70 that measures a distance by a direct ToF method, it is possible to detect whether an overcurrent is supplied to the laser diode 12 more accurately. By controlling light emission by the laser diode 12 based on the result of the detection, for example, it is possible to reduce an effect on the eyes in the case were laser light more intense than expected is emitted from the laser diode 12 due to an overcurrent. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent break of the elements of the laser diode 12 due to an overcurrent, which increase reliability of the ranging device 70.

Sixth Embodiment

An example of application of the fifth embodiment of the disclosure will be described as a sixth embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a use example according to the sixth embodiment in which the ranging device 70 according to the above-described fifth embodiment is used.

The above-described ranging device 70 is usable in various cases in which light, such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light and X-rays, is sensed as described below.

-   -   A device that captures images that are used for ornamental         purposes, such as a digital camera or a portable device with a         camera function.     -   A device used for traffic purposes, such as an on-board sensor         that captures images of the front and back views, the         surroundings, and the inside of a vehicle for safe driving, such         as automatic stopping, recognition of the condition of a driver,         etc., a monitoring camera that monitors a traveling vehicle and         a road, or a ranging sensor that measures a distance between         vehicles.     -   A device used for home appliances, such as a TV set, a         refrigerator, and an air conditioner, in order to capture images         of gestures of a user and operate devices according to the         gestures.     -   A device used for medicine and healthcare, such as an endoscope         or a device that captures images of blood vessels by receiving         infrared light.     -   A device used for security, such as a crime prevention         monitoring camera or a personal authentication camera.     -   A device used for beauty, such as a skin measurement device or a         microscope that captures images of a scalp.     -   A device used for sports, such as an action camera or a wearable         camera for sports, etc.     -   A device used for agriculture, such as a camera for monitoring         the condition of fields and products.

Further Application Example of Technique According to Disclosure

The technique according to the disclosure may be applied to a device that is mounted on various mobile objects, such as an automobile, an electronic vehicle, a hybrid electronic vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a personal mobility, an airplane, a drone, a ship, and a robot.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system that is an example of a mobile object control system to which the technique according to the disclosure is applicable.

A vehicle control system 12000 includes a plurality of electronic control units that are connected via a communication network 12001. In the example illustrated in FIG. 19, the vehicle control system 12000 includes a drive system control unit 12010, a body system control unit 12020, a vehicle external information detection unit 12030, a vehicle internal information detection unit 12040, and an integration control unit 12050. As a functional configuration of the integration control unit 12050, a microcomputer 12051, a sound-image output unit 12052, and an on-board network I/F (interface) 12053 are illustrated.

The drive system control unit 12010 controls operations of devices that relate to a drive system of a vehicle according to various programs. For example, the drive system control unit 12010 functions as control devices, such as a drive force generation device like an engine or a drive motor, for generating a drive force of a vehicle, a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force to wheels, a steering mechanism that adjusts the steering angle of a vehicle, and a braking device that generates a braking force of a vehicle.

The body system control unit 12020 controls operations of various devices that are installed in a vehicle body according to various programs. For example, the body system control unit 12020 functions as a keyless entry system, a smart-key system, a power window device, or a control device for various lumps, such as head lamps, rear lamps, brake lamps, turn signals and fog lamps. In this case, radio waves that are transmitted from a portable device substituting a key or signals of various switches can be input to the body system control unit 12020. The body system control unit 12020 receives inputs of those radio waves or signals and controls a door lock device, a power window device, lamps, etc.

The vehicle external information detection unit 12030 detects information on the outside of the vehicle on which the vehicle control system 12000 is installed. For example, an imaging unit 12031 is connected to the vehicle external information detection unit 12030. The vehicle external information detection unit 12030 causes the imaging unit 12031 to capture images of the outside of the vehicle and receives the captured images. The vehicle external information detection unit 12030 may performs a process of detecting an object, such as a human, a vehicle, an obstacle, a sign or characters on a road, or a distance detection process. The vehicle external information detection unit 12030, for example, performs image processing on a received image and performs an object detection process and a distance detection process based on the result of the image processing.

The imaging unit 12031 is an optical sensor that receives light and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of the received light. The imaging unit 12031 is able to output the electric signal as an image or output the electric signal as information to measure a distance. The light that is received by the imaging unit 12031 may be a visible light or may be invisible light, such as infrared light.

The vehicle internal information detection unit 12040 detects information on the inside of the vehicle. For example, a driver condition detector 12041 that detects a condition of a driver is connected to the vehicle internal information detection unit 12040. The driver condition detector 12041, for example, includes a camera that captures an image of the driver and, based on detection information that is input from the driver condition detector 12041, the vehicle internal information detection unit 12040 may calculate a degree of tiredness or a degree of concentration of the driver or determine whether the driver is not drowsing.

The microcomputer 12051 is able to, based on the vehicle internal or external information that is acquired by the vehicle external information detection unit 12030 or the vehicle internal information detection unit 12040, computes a control target value of the drive force generation device, the steering mechanism, or the braking device and output a control instruction to the drive system control unit 12010. For example, the microcomputer 12051 is able to perform collaboration control aimed at implementation ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) functions including avoiding or attenuating a crash of the vehicle, following traveling, traveling at a maintained vehicle speed, making an alert for a crash of the vehicle or making an alert for deviation of the vehicle from a lane.

By controlling the drive force generation device, the steering mechanism, the braking device, or the like, based on the information on the surroundings of the vehicle that is acquired by the vehicle external information detection unit 12030 or the vehicle internal information detection unit 12040, the microcomputer 12051 is able to perform collaboration control aimed at autonomous driving of autonomously traveling not depending on operations of the driver.

The microcomputer 12051 is able to output a control instruction to the body system control unit 12020 based on the vehicle external information that is acquired by the vehicle external information detection unit 12030. For example, the microcomputer 12051 is able to control the headlamps according to the position of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle that is detected by the vehicle external information detection unit 12030 and perform collaboration control aimed at preventing dazzling, such as switching a high beam to a low beam.

The sound-image output unit 12052 transmits an output signal of at least one of sound and an image to an output device capable of visually or auditorily notifying a person on the vehicle or the outside of the vehicle of information. In the example in FIG. 19, an audio speaker 12061, a display unit 12062, and an instrument panel 12063 are exemplified as the output device. The display unit 12062, for example, may include at least an on-board display or a headup display.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of positions in which the imaging unit 12031 is set. A vehicle 12100 in FIG. 20 includes imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103, 12104 and 12105 as the imaging unit 12031.

The imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103, 12104 and 12105 are, for example, set in positions, such as a front nose, side-view mirrors, a rear bumper, a back door and an upper part of a windshield inside the vehicle. The imaging unit 12101 that the front nose has and the imaging unit 12105 that the upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle has mainly acquire images of the front view from the vehicle 12100. The imaging units 12102 and 12103 that the side-view mirrors have mainly acquire images of the side views from the vehicle 12100. The imaging unit 12104 that the rear bumper or the back door has acquires images of the back view from vehicle 12100. The images of the front views that are acquired by the imaging units 12101 and 12105 are mainly used to detect a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle, a traffic light, a traffic sign, a driving lane, or the like.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of areas of imaging by the respective imaging units 12101 to 12104. An imaging area 12111 represents an area of imaging by the imaging unit 12101 that is arranged on the front nose, imaging areas 12112 and 12113 represent areas of imaging by the imaging units 12102 and 12103 that are arranged on the side-view mirrors, and an imaging area 12114 represents an area of imaging by the imaging unit 12104 that is arranged on the rear bumper or the back door. For example, superimposing sets of image data obtained by image capturing by the imaging units 12101 to 12104 makes it possible to obtain a bird's eye view image of the vehicle 12100 viewed from above.

At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may have a function of acquiring distance information. For example, at least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may be a stereo camera consisting of multiple imaging elements or an imaging device with pixels for detecting a phase difference.

For example, the microcomputer 12051 calculates a distance to each three-dimensional object in the imaging areas 12111 to 12114 and a change in the distance over time (a relative speed with respect to the vehicle 12100) based on distance information that is acquired from the imaging units 12101 to 12104 and thus is able to extract, as a preceding vehicle, an object that is particularly closest on a path on which the vehicle 12100 travels and that travels at a given speed (for example, 0 km/h or higher) in a direction that is approximately the same as that of the vehicle 12100. The microcomputer 12051 is able to further set a distance between vehicles that should be kept in front of the preceding vehicle and perform automatic brake control (including following stop control), automatic acceleration control (including following start control), etc. As described above, it is possible to perform collaboration control aimed at autonomous driving of autonomously traveling not depending on operations of the driver.

For example, the microcomputer 12051 classifies three-dimensional object data on three-dimensional objects into two-wheels, passengers cars, large vehicles, pedestrians, utility poles, and other three-dimensional objects and extract the three-dimensional objects based on the distance information that is acquired from the imaging units 12101 to 12104 and the three-dimensional object data can be used for autonomously avoiding obstacles. For example, the microcomputer 12051 identifies obstacles around the vehicle 12100 as obstacles that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle 12100 and obstacles that are difficult to view. The microcomputer 12051 determines a crash risk indicating a risk of crash with each obstacle and is able to, when the crash risk is at or above a set value and a crash may occur, provide driving assist for preventing a crash by outputting an alert to the driver via the audio speaker 12061 or the display unit 12062 or performing compulsory deceleration or avoidance steering via the drive system control unit 12010.

At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may be an infrared camera that detects infrared rays. For example, the microcomputer 12051 is able to recognize a pedestrian by determining whether a pedestrian is present in images captured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104. The recognition of a pedestrian is performed according to a procedure to detect features in the images captured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104 serving as infrared cameras and a procedure to perform pattern matching on a series of features indicating an outline of an object and determine whether the object is a pedestrian. When the microcomputer 12051 determines that a pedestrian is resent in the images captured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104, the sound-image output unit 12052 controls the display unit 12062 to display a square outline for enhancement such that the square outline is superimposed on the recognized pedestrian. The sound-image output unit 12052 may control the display unit 12062 to display an icon representing a pedestrian, or the like, in a desired position.

An example of the vehicle control system to which the technique according to the disclosure is applicable has been described. The technique according to the disclosure is applicable to, for example, the imaging unit 12031 among the above-described configurations. Specifically, the ranging device 70 according to the above-described fifth embodiment of the disclosure is applicable to the imaging unit 12031. Applying the technique according to the disclosure to the imaging unit 12031 makes it possible to inhibit excessive application of laser light that is emitted from the ranging device 70 that measures a distance from a traveling vehicle to an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian due to an overcurrent.

The effect described herein is an example only and does not put limitation and there may be another effect.

The technique may also employ the following configuration.

(1) A light source device comprising:

a first resistor that is connected to a given potential;

a light emitting element that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light;

a second resistor that is connected to the given potential; and

a first current source that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current,

wherein a first voltage at a first connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a second connection part where the second resistor and the first current source are connected to each other are taken out.

(2) The light source device according to (1), wherein the light emitting element is configured as an element array on which a plurality of elements configured to emit light independently are arrayed, and

the first current source supplies the given current corresponding in number to elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array.

(3) The light source device according to (2), wherein the first resistor has a resistance corresponding in number to the elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array. (4) The light source device according to (2) or (3), further comprising a plurality of second current sources configured to independently supply a plurality of drive current that drive the respective elements to the elements, respectively, and

including

a first semiconductor chip on which the first resistor, the second resistor, the first current source and the second current sources are arranged, and

a second semiconductor chip including the element array and that is superimposed onto the first semiconductor chip,

wherein the respective elements contained in the element array that is arranged on the second semiconductor chip and the respective second current sources that are arranged on the first semiconductor chip have one-on-one connections.

(5) The light source device according to (4), wherein the second current sources are arranged on a given area on the first semiconductor chip, and

the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner on an area corresponding to the given area on the first semiconductor chip.

(6) The light source device according to (4) or (5), wherein the first resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip. (7) The light source device according to (6), wherein the first resistor is divided into two blocks that are arranged alignedly and the second resistor is arranged between the two blocks. (8) The light source device according to (7), wherein the second resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip, and

the blocks into which the resistors included in the first resistor are divided and the blocks into which the resistors included in the second resistor are divided are alternately and alignedly arranged on the first semiconductor chip.

(9) The light source device according to any one of (4) to (8), further comprising a capacitor that is arranged in a given area on the first semiconductor chip and that is connected to the first resistor,

wherein the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner in the given area on the first semiconductor chip.

(10) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (9), further comprising:

a first step-down unit configured to take out, as the first voltage, a third voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the first connection part; and

a second step-down unit configured to take out, as the second voltage, a fourth voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the second connection part.

(11) The light source device according to (10), wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by resistive voltage division. (12) The light source device according to (10), wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by stepping down respective outputs of source followers using voltages of the first connection part and the second connection part as inputs, respectively. (13) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (12), further comprising:

a comparator configured to compare the first voltage and the second voltage; and

a controller configured to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the light emitting element based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is acquired based on a result of the comparison by the comparator.

(14) The light source device according to (13), wherein the controller is configured to, based on a result of the determination, control an on state and an off state of at least the first resistor of the first resistor and the second resistor. (15) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein each of the first resistor and the second resistor is a resistor between a source and a drain of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor in an on state. (16) An electronic device comprising:

a first resistor that is connected to a given potential;

a light emitting element that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light;

a second resistor that is connected to the given potential;

a current source that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current;

a comparator configured to compare a first voltage at a connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a connection part where the second resistor and the current source are connected to each other; and

a controller configured to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the light emitting element based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is acquired based on a result of the comparison by the comparator and, based on a result of the determination, control an on state and an off state of at least the first resistor of the first resistor and the second resistor.

(17) The electronic device according to (16), wherein the light emitting element is configured as an element array on which a plurality of elements configured to emit light independently are arrayed, and

the first current source supplies the given current corresponding in number to elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array.

(18) The electronic device according to (17), wherein the first resistor has a resistance corresponding in number to the elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array. (19) The electronic device according to (17) or (18), further comprising a plurality of second current sources configured to independently supply a plurality of drive current that drive the respective elements to the elements, respectively, and

including

a first semiconductor chip on which the first resistor, the second resistor, the first current source and the second current sources are arranged, and

a second semiconductor chip including the element array and that is superimposed onto the first semiconductor chip,

wherein the respective elements contained in the element array that is arranged on the second semiconductor chip and the respective second current sources that are arranged on the first semiconductor chip have one-on-one connections.

(20) The electronic device according to (19), wherein the second current sources are arranged on a given area on the first semiconductor chip, and

the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner on an area corresponding to the given area on the first semiconductor chip.

(21) The electronic device according to (19) or (20), wherein the first resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip. (22) The electronic device according to (21), wherein the first resistor is divided into two blocks that are arranged alignedly and the second resistor is arranged between the two blocks. (23) The electronic device according to (22), wherein the second resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip, and

the blocks into which the resistors included in the first resistor are divided and the blocks into which the resistors included in the second resistor are divided are alternately and alignedly arranged on the first semiconductor chip.

(24) The electronic device according to any one of (19) to (23), further comprising a capacitor that is arranged in a given area on the first semiconductor chip and that is connected to the first resistor,

wherein the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner in the given area on the first semiconductor chip.

(25) The electronic device according to any one of (16) to (24), further comprising:

a first step-down unit configured to take out, as the first voltage, a third voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the first connection part; and

a second step-down unit configured to take out, as the second voltage, a fourth voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the second connection part.

(26) The electronic device according to (25), wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by resistive voltage division. (27) The electronic device according to (25), wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by stepping down respective outputs of source followers using voltages of the first connection part and the second connection part as inputs, respectively. (28) The electronic device according to any one of (16) to (27), further comprising:

a controller configured to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the light emitting element based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is acquired based on a result of the comparison by the comparator.

(29) The electronic device according to (28), wherein the controller is configured to, based on a result of the determination, control an on state and an off state of at least the first resistor of the first resistor and the second resistor. (30) The electronic device according to any one of (16) to (29), wherein each of the first resistor and the second resistor is a resistor between a source and a drain of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor in an on state.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 LIGHT SOURCE     -   10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 d′, 10 e(a), 10 e(b), 10 e(b)′,         10 e(c), 200 a, 200 b DRIVER     -   11 CONTROLLER     -   12, 12 ₁, 12 ₂, 12 _(n), 12 _(M), 12 _(M+1), 12 _(N) LASER DIODE     -   42 DETECTION SIGNAL     -   51 RANGING UNIT     -   70 RANGING DEVICE     -   101, 101′, 101 ₁, 101 _(M), 101 _(N+1), 101 _(N), 102, 102 ₁,         102 _(M), 102 _(N+1), 102 _(N), 203, 220, 221 TRANSISTOR     -   103, 103 ₁, 103 ₂, 103 _(n), 103 _(M), 103 _(M+1), 103 _(N),         104, 152 ₁, 152 ₂, 204, 205 CURRENT SOURCE     -   131 ₁, 131 ₂, 132 ₁, 132 ₂, 151 ₁, 151 ₂ RESISTOR     -   140 CAPACITOR     -   302 LIGHT RECEIVER     -   1000 LDD CHIP     -   1001 PAD     -   1200 a, 1200 b, 1200 c LD ARRAY 

1. A light source device comprising: a first resistor that is connected to a given potential; a light emitting element that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light; a second resistor that is connected to the given potential; and a first current source that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current, wherein a first voltage at a first connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a second connection part where the second resistor and the first current source are connected to each other are taken out.
 2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is configured as an element array on which a plurality of elements configured to emit light independently are arrayed, and the first current source supplies the given current corresponding in number to elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array.
 3. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein the first resistor has a resistance corresponding in number to the elements that are caused to emit light among the elements that are included in the element array.
 4. The light source device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of second current sources configured to independently supply a plurality of drive current that drive the respective elements to the elements, respectively, and including a first semiconductor chip on which the first resistor, the second resistor, the first current source and the second current sources are arranged, and a second semiconductor chip including the element array and that is superimposed onto the first semiconductor chip, wherein the respective elements contained in the element array that is arranged on the second semiconductor chip and the respective second current sources that are arranged on the first semiconductor chip have one-on-one connections.
 5. The light source device according to claim 4, wherein the second current sources are arranged on a given area on the first semiconductor chip, and the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner on an area corresponding to the given area on the first semiconductor chip.
 6. The light source device according to claim 4, wherein the first resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip.
 7. The light source device according to claim 6, wherein the first resistor is divided into two blocks that are arranged alignedly and the second resistor is arranged between the two blocks.
 8. The light source device according to claim 7, wherein the second resistor includes a plurality of resistors that are connected in parallel and the resistors are divided into multiple blocks and are arranged on the first semiconductor chip, and the blocks into which the resistors included in the first resistor are divided and the blocks into which the resistors included in the second resistor are divided are alternately and alignedly arranged on the first semiconductor chip.
 9. The light source device according to claim 4, further comprising a capacitor that is arranged in a given area on the first semiconductor chip and that is connected to the first resistor, wherein the element array is arranged in a superimposed manner in the given area on the first semiconductor chip.
 10. The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first step-down unit configured to take out, as the first voltage, a third voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the first connection part; and a second step-down unit configured to take out, as the second voltage, a fourth voltage obtained by stepping down the voltage of the second connection part.
 11. The light source device according to claim 10, wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by resistive voltage division.
 12. The light source device according to claim 10, wherein the first step-down unit and the second step-down unit are configured to take out the third voltage and the fourth voltage, respectively, by stepping down respective outputs of source followers using voltages of the first connection part and the second connection part as inputs, respectively.
 13. The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparator configured to compare the first voltage and the second voltage; and a controller configured to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the light emitting element based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is acquired based on a result of the comparison by the comparator.
 14. The light source device according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to, based on a result of the determination, control an on state and an off state of at least the first resistor of the first resistor and the second resistor.
 15. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first resistor and the second resistor is a resistor between a source and a drain of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor in an on state.
 16. An electronic device comprising: a first resistor that is connected to a given potential; a light emitting element that is connected in series to the first resistor and that is configured to be supplied with a given current and thus emit a given amount of light; a second resistor that is connected to the given potential; a current source that is connected in series to the second resistor and that is configured to supply a current obtained by adding a current corresponding to an overcurrent to the given current; a comparator configured to compare a first voltage at a connection part where the first resistor and the light emitting element are connected to each other and a second voltage at a connection part where the second resistor and the current source are connected to each other; and a controller configured to determine whether an overcurrent is supplied to the light emitting element based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is acquired based on a result of the comparison by the comparator and, based on a result of the determination, control an on state and an off state of at least the first resistor of the first resistor and the second resistor. 